Diesel engine timing device



OC. 19, 1954 M DAULBY DIESEL ENGINE TIMING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledNOV. 7, 1951 r m ...m om Hh mmmw NT w NN\ Nm E Milton Daulby JNVENToR.

d/away HZLW Oct. 19, 1954 M- DAULBY DIESEL ENGINE TIMING DEVICE 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. '7, 1951 INVENToR.

BY #muy 12ML@ Milton Dau/by CNV Patented Oct. 19, 1954 UNITED l srATssATENT OFFICE DIESEL ENGINE TIMING DEVICE Milton Daulby, Newport News,Va.

Application November 7, 1951, Serial No. 255,280

(Cl. 'i3-116) 9 Claims. l

This invention comprises novel and useful immovements in a diesel enginetiming device and more specifically pertains to a timing indicatorattachment for the injection nozzle of a fuel injection system of dieselengines for accurately indicating the time and duration of the fuelinjection.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a mechanism wherebythe time of the beginning of fuel injection and the duration of fuelinjection of fuel injection nozzles of diesel engines may be quickly andaccurately ascertained.

A further object of the invention is to provide a timing indicator beingconformative with the preceding object which shall be readily applicableto various conventional types of fuel injection systems for internalcombustion engines.

More specically, it is a primary object of' the present invention toprovide a fuel injection timing indicator for diesel engines which shallindicate in an improved manner the exact time of the beginning andduration of fuel injections of the fuel injection nozzles; and which maybe readily applied to conventional fuel injection nozzles of fuelinjection systems by being either located directly upon the fuelinjection injector or by being associated therewith but located remotelytherefrom as preferred.

These, together with various ancillary features and objects of theinvention, which will later become apparent as the following descriptionproceeds are retained by the present invention, a preferred embodimentof which has been applied in different manners to a fuel injector of aconventional design in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view indicating the manner in which a timingindicator in accordance with this invention may be directly applied tothe fuel injector and associated with the fly wheel of an internalcombustion engine, parts of the injector and of the switch mechanism ofthe timer being indicated in section therein; and

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing an alternative mannerin which the timing device may be associated with a fuel injector, butlocated at a remote position relative thereto, parts of the injector andof the timing device being shown in section therein.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numeralsdesignate similar parts throughout the various views, reference is firstmade to the application of the invention disclosed in Figure 1, whereinthe numeral I designates generally a fuel injector for diesel engines ofa 2 conventional design, the same being supplied with fuel underpressure by a conduit I2, the latter receiving its fuel from a fuel pumpor other suitable fuel injecting pressure supplying means.

'Ihe conventional fuel injector herein disclosed includes a nozzle valveI 4 indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1, which is provided with aspindle l5 having the usual compression spring i8 which yieldingly urgesthe spindle in a direction to cause the nozzle valve I4 to resist thefuel pressure within the pressure area below the nozzle valve, until apredetermined pressure is developed forcing the nozzle valve off itsseat, the fuel charge entering the combustion chamber of an internalcombustion engine cylinder, not shown. The bowl or body of the injectoris provided with a customary upstanding sleeve portion 2li which isprovided with a usual screwthreaded closure plug at its upper endwhereby access may be had to the compression spring I8.

In accordance with this invention as shown in Figure l, a housing orother suitable supporting means indicated by the numeral 22 is providedhaving an externally threaded sleeve or bushing 24 extending therefromwhich is adapted to be screwthreadedly engaged in the upper end of thesleeve 20 in lieu of the closure plug. By this means, the housing orsupport 22 is mounted directly upon the body of the fuel injector,

The housing or support 22 carries a switch mechanism and operating meanstherefor to be set forth hereinafter, whereby actuation of the fuelinjector nozzle valve and spindle serves to operate the switch, energizean electrical circuit and thereby cause the actuation of a signal intimed relation to operation of the fuel injector, as set forthhereinafter.

The timing indicator in accordance with this invention further includesan electrically operated signaling device indicated generally by thenumeral 26. This signaling device may conveniently comprise a neon lampor the like, although it is to be understood that any other desired typeof signaling device such as an alarm, or some other signal or indicatormay be utilized.

Where a signaling light such as a neon light is employed, the latter ispreferably so positioned that the rays therefrom may illuminate timingindicia indicated generally by the numeral 28 and which are disposedupon any convenient movable portion of the internal combustion enginewhereby the position of the pistons and crank shaft may be readilyascertained at about the time of top dead center position of thepistons. Conveniently, this member may constitute a portion of the nywheel of an internal combustion engine, this y wheel having a xedpointer or trammel 32 adjacent thereto constituting a reference pointand past which the indicia 28 on the fly wheel are adapted to move.Thus, at the instant the signal light 25 is energized, the persontesting the fuel injection system can readily observe during the instantof illumination which of the indicia registers with the trammel 32 andby that means determine the position of the pistons with respect to thetop dead center position thereof.

`It will of course be readily appreciated that any other moving elementof the engine insteadv of the fly wheel may be utilized to determine therelative position of the pistons with respect to the top dead centerposition the instant that the signaling lamp is energized by the fuelinjection actuated unit of the attachment.

It will also be understood that the indicia may be entirely omitted anda visual signal afforded by the flashing of the light 26 may be utilizedas an indication that the injector has been actuated.

However, where the device is applied to a moving member of the enginesuch as the flywheel, it will be understood that the periodic flashingof the signal light 25 upon the moving indicia or the flywheel or othermember of the engine during operation of the engine will produce astroboscopic effect whereby the same indicia will be illuminated andrendered visible during c'ycle of operation of the engine, therebyrendering easier the reading of the indicia, and ascertaining therelative timing of the piston with respect to the operation of the fuelinjector.

The electric signaling device 26,- whether in the form of a signal lamp,a neon signal light, or some other electrical signaling apparatus, isprovided with a suitable electrical activating circuit which mayconveniently include an electric storage battery 34, such as the storagebattery of an automotive vehicle, which may be grounded as at 36 andwhich is connected as by a conducto-r 38 with the primary circuit ofan-induction coil 40 of the usual type with which automotive vehiclesare provided, the other terminal of the primaryl circuit being connectedby a conductor 42 with a, switch assembly to be subsequently set forth,

whereby the primary may be automatically and intermittently opened andclosed.

The secondary coil or' circuit of the spark coil 40 has a conductor 44connecting the same with the signal device 26, a further conductor 46connecting the signal device to the ground at 48.

Thus, whenever the primary circuit of the induc tion coil is opened, aninduced flow of current throughl the signaling device 26 will beeffected thereby energizing the latter 'and illuminating the indicia.

, The'electric switch assembly within the housing 22 While mounted uponthe support constituted by the same includes a pair of oppositelydisposed binding posts 50 and 52 disposed preferably in alignment witheach other, the conductor 42 being connected to one of these bindingposts while a branch conductor 54 connects the two posts parallel withthe conductor 42.

Mounted upon the binding post 5i! and insulated from the support orhousing 22 is an arm 2E having a stationary but adjustable terminal 58.A second, relatively stationary terminal 69 is disposed'in opposedrelation to the terminal 58, and is carriedby a movable arm 62 mountedupon a pivot nin. in the form'of 'abolt B4, thisarm being electricallyconnected as by a flexible electrically conductive band and spring 66with the binding post 52. A lug or abutment 68 is mounted upon thesupport or housing 22 and constitutes a stop which limits movement ofthe arm 62 towards a support arm 5t, thereby limiting movement of theterminal 60 with respect to the terminal 58.

The movable terminal of the switch member is mounted upon a movable armVorblade 10 which is pivotally mounted upon ab'olt or' the like 'i2carried by the support or housing` 22, the movable terminal consistingof a pair of contacts 'M'and le disposed on opposite sides of the blade10 and respectively adjacent the fixed terminals 60 and 58. Thearrangement is such that when the' blade 'i0 is in its lowered position,the terminal 16' will contact the terminal 58, while the terminal M and'Eil will be disengaged. However, when the blade is raised, theterminals 58 and 16 will be disengaged and the terminal 14 and Ell willbe closed as will be readily apparent lfrom Figure 1.

The movement of the blade 'i0 is eiTectedin timed relation to and inresponse to movement of the spindle I6 and nozzle valve I4'of the'fuelinjector. For that purpose, a pin B5'is slidably received in a sleeve18, 'and is adju-.stably fixedly secured therein as by a set screw all.'This sleeve slidably extends through a guideboss or tube-G2 extendingthrough the' upper portion of the support or housing 22, and rests uponthe upper cir'- cuit of the switch blade or lever 1B. A compres-I sionspring 84' surrounds the sleeve 18, pressing downwardly upon the blade10 and urging the latter into its lowered position at which time thecontacts 'I6 and 58 are closed as illustratedi in Figure l.

A second sleeve 86- extends throughthe boss 24 and slidably embraces thepin 35,' being adjust# ably secured thereto as by a set screw 88.z Thislatter sleeve being clamped to the p'in 95 moves upwardly or downwardlytherewith and serves' to positively raise the blade 'I0 on the upwardstroke of the pin, and is pressed downward,-A carrying with it thesleeve 13 by virtue of the thrust of the spring 841l when the memberraising` the pin "16 releases the latter.

At its lower end, the pin is provided with' an enlarged socketed portion9'0 received within the upper part of the body of the fuel injectorbelow the boss 24, and a connecting pin 92 is seated in this socket andat its lower end engages and abuts against the headed portion 941 of thein'- jector spindle I6.

It will'now be apparent that the arrangement is such that when theinjector spindley is lifted upon the beginning of the fuel injection;it. carries with it the pin injector 92 and the pin 95. The pin 95,through the sleeve 86, raises the blade'- 'i0 `against the resistanceofv the'spring 8B, carrying with it the sleeve 18.`

From the position shown in Figure' 1, which is the normalrest positionof the device when theV fuel injector is idle, it will be' seen thatcurrent is flowing through theV primaryfcircuit ofthe coilby virtue ofthe contacts 58 andA 'I6V being closed. When the blade 'Hl is lifted,breaking connections with the contacts 76 and 58, this change in theflow of current through the primary ofthe -co'il Q0' induces a flowthrough the secondary circuit thereby momentarily' energizing thesignaling' de# vice 2E, and inthe arrangementY illustrated, there# bycausing a momentary illumination ef the trammel 321 andscale 28 thereby'enabling the observer to' readily see ordtermine the'tiining- 5, of thebeginning of injection with respect to the piston position relative totop dead center. When the fuel injector spindle I6 has continued itsupward travel during the beginning of the fuel injection stroke of theinjector, it will be seen that the contacts 14 and 60 are closed,thereby again closingthe circuit of the primary and causing the currentto iicw through the primary circuit of the coil 4t by virtue of thecontacts 14 and 60 being closed. When the blade 'lil is lowered byvirtue of the injection pressure diminishing, contacts Hl and 6i) areseparated, changing the flow of current to the secondary circuit of coild, thereby momentarily energizing the signalling device 26 and in thearrangement illustrated, thereby causing a momentary illumination of thetrammel 32 and scale 28, thereby enabling the observer to readily see ordetermine the timing of the ending of injection with respect to theposition of the piston relative tol top dead center.

It will thus be apparent that the observer can determine the instant ofthe beginning of injection, as well as the extent or duration of theinjection with respect to the degrees of piston travel.

The above described device possesses the advantage that each of theswitch elements may be compactly and easily and quickly applied to eachof the conventional fuel injectors on a Diesel engine in order to testthe timing of injection.

It will also be understood that when the fuel injection pump is removedfrom the internal combustion engine, the above described device may beemployed with the conventional fuel injectors and the conventional teststand in the manner previously described.

A further arrangement is provided, as shown in Figure 2, forarrangements in which it is preferred to position the testing deviceremote from the fuel injectors.

In this arrangement, the switch element responsive to the fuel injectionpressure including the support or housing, the induction coil, thesignalling device and the elements connecting the same may all be of thesame construction previously described and therefore have beenillustrated as of the same construction and bear the same referencenumerals. However, the injector actuated switch is connected to theinjector in a slightly different manner.

In this second embodiment or arrangement, the above mentioned externallythreaded boss 24, instead of being directly threaded into the upperportion of the casing of the fuel injector I, is threaded into acylindrical member |00. This member is provided with a cylindrical bore102 into which the pin 95 extends. This pin, however, instead of beingmechanically connected to the injector stem as in the previousarrangement, is provided at its lower end with a piston lili which isreciprocable within the cylinder H12.

A fluid conductor |06 is connected to the lower end of the bore m2 inthe body |00 as by a coupling m8, and has its other end connected as bya coupling or fitting I I with a passage I l2 in the injector body lll.The conductor |06 may be of any desired length in accordance with thedistance to which the switch unit is to be located with respect to thefuel injector i0.

This arrangement is such that whenever the fuel pressure within theejector is raised to the necessary pressure to initiate or effectinjection, this pressure will be communicated by the passage II'2, theconductor |86 to the bottom of the piston |04, and will through thisfluid connection, actuate the stem ina manner previously set forth andto obtain the. above described functions.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will bereadily understood and further explanation is believed to beunnecessary. and changes will readily occur to those vskilled in theart, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact constructionshown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having described the invention, what claimed as new is:

1. 'A timing indicator for fuel injectors of Diesel engines comprising asignal light adapted to illuminate the timing indicia on an engine ily--wheel, an electric circuit supplying current to said light, a switchcontrolling said circuit, actuating means for said switch responsive tooperation of the fuel injector of a Diesel engine for actuating saidswitch, said electric circuit including an induction coil having primaryand secondary circuits, said signal being operatively con-v nected withsaid secondary circuit and 'said switch with said primary circuit, saidswitch having a pair of spaced stationary contacts with a movablecontact therebetween, said movable contact normally engaging one of thestationary contacts, said actuating means operatively connected to themovable contact to disengage the one stationary contact at the beginningof injection and the other contact at the end of injection, saidstationary contacts being disposed in parallel in said primary circuitwhereby the beginning and ending of the injection will be indicated.

2. A timing indicator for an injection nozzle comprising an electricsignaling device, an electric circuit connected to said signaling devicefor activating the same, 4a switch controlling said circuit, meansresponsive to actuation of an injection nozzle for actuating saidswitch, said electric circuit including an induction coil having primaryand secondary circuits, said signal being operatively connected withsaid secondary circuit and said switch with said primary circuit, saidswitch having a pair of spaced stationary contacts with a movablecontact therebetween, said movable contact normally engaging one of thestationary contacts, said actuating means operatively connected to themovable contact to disengage the one stationary contact at the beginningof injection and the other contact at the end of injection, saidstationary contacts being disposed in parallel in said primary circuitwhereby the beginning and ending of the injection will be indicated.

3. In combination with a fuel injection system of a Diesel engine havinga fuel injector, a timing indicator comprising a signal light positionedfor illuminating the timing indicia on a moving part of said engine, anelectric circuit connected with said light for activating the latter, aswitch controlling said circuit, means connected to said switch andinjector and responsive to operation of said injector for actuating saidswitch, said electric circuit including an induction coil having primaryand secondary circuits, said signal being operatively connected withsaid secondary circuit and said switch with said primary circuit, saidswitch having a pair of spaced stationary contacts with a movablecontact therebetween,

However, since numerous modifications' accuses:

said mavabiezcontact normally'engagingron of; the: stationary contacts#Asaid; actuating 'means' operatively kconnected to` the? movable.contact'to: disengagc the one.: stationary contact at: the: beginning ofinjection and the other Contact; ati'. the.v end-l of injection; saithstationary contacts being; disposed in parallel :in .saidprimaryfcircuitz whereby, the beginning antlzendingof` the injec.-vtionewill" be indicated.

4i.: The combination. of claim; 1. wherein: said actuating' means#includes.v ai". fluid.: pressure: ref sponsive-member connected; to'said switch, said.-` u-id pressure means-.beingad'apted to communi.-cate with. theL fuel injector. passage of. a: fuel injector.

5. The. combination offclaim 2 wherein. said actuating means includes afluid.. pressure re sponsi-vaV member; connected to. said. switch,.sa-id uid. pressurefmeans being'. adapted .to :communi- I cate with..the fuel: injector passageV of a: fuel injector.

6'. The.- combination? otV claimA 3 wherein. said. actuating meansincludes.v az.- fluid pressure 11e-fsponsive memberconnected: to.- said.switch', said.; fluid pressure means beingadapted.v to communi.- cate;with. theV fuel.- injector passage of a.V fuel; injector.

'hf/The combination.: ofiy claim. 1f wherein said.

References Citedin thele of this. patent'.

UNTIED STATES 5 PATENTS.

Number' Name Date 2;192',`863 Hetzelx'et al Mar: 5, 1940" 212895359HHansbarger July'1'4; 1942 2,602,328 Tippett July, 19'52" FOREIGN PATENTSNumber Country Date 514,808` Great Britain Nov. 17; 1939` 620,637 GreatBritain Mar. 28, .1949i

